A MOTHER whose son was killed by a boat’s propellor is starting a campaign for greater safety measures and is raising money for those who gave her a final few hours with her boy.

Patrick Beach was 33 years old when he fell into the water off Portsmouth Harbour and was struck on the head by a boat’s propellor, on July 3 last year .

Rescuers dragged him out of the water and he was rushed to hospital where he later died.

His mother, Ann, 56, has spoken of those last hours she was able to spend with her son. She wants to raise money and awareness for the rescuers whose work ensured his friends and family were by his side.

Mrs Beach, of Long Lane in Stanwell, said: “It just seems like yesterday but we are just trying to do something in his memory and to let people know how much the lifeboat people have done. Their building is falling apart and we want to help them and let people know of all the things that they do. If it wasn’t for all those people doing these things we would not have had that time with him..”

In other countries it is mandatory for pleasure boats to have guarded propellers, something Ann and husband Patrick, 60, want to see introduced in the UK.

The family is also determined to raise funds and awareness of the ocean rescue groups that operate on the coast and the Portsmouth and Southsea Voluntary Lifeguards, who also played a role.

To mark the anniversary of Patrick’s death, 30 horse-drawn carriages, organised by family friend Jason Lovridge, will be driven from Stanwell Cemetery in Long Lane, to Windsor.

Mrs Beach said: “All of his friends said they would do a drive that day and there are a lot of people that want to do it.

“If it wasn’t for all those people, it just meant everything for us to be there, we just couldn’t thank them enough. It meant everything to us to be at the hospital.

“It gave us that time with him so he wasn’t on his own. Now we want to do something for the lifeguards.

“They risk their lives to save others and if you don’t live by the sea you don’t know it and the purpose of this drive is to get that across. .”

To help with the fundraising efforts, take part in the drive, or to collect sponsorship forms call Ann on 07809 645374.